ORATORIO

An olfactory work that was created on real and imaginary journey between Prague and Paris. The perfume drawing contrast between the dynamics of the city, where the day already belongs to tomorrow, and the space of old church, under whose vaults time has stopped. The contrast of two moments that can be connected in one moment. The moment of becoming present. The first touch belongs to the rare Madagascar mandarin and Egyptian neroli, which symbolise light. The citrus-floral opening is elegantly tart, clean, and unique. Gradually it turns into a spiritual scent of incense and cedar, which is complemented by jasmine in the heart. An accord of opoponax resin together with patchouli oil closes the base of the perfume with a classic balsamic and cooling accent, an expression of darkness that then lets us see light.

ORATORIO CAMPAIGN

Frenchman Guillaume Rossi took over artistic direction of the Oratorio fragrance campaign which launched in September of 2023.

“As a multidisciplinary artist, I would say that my position as creative director and film director is part of the process of creating a story. I enjoy telling people stories. No matter the method, the tools, or my team, it is always partially crazy and fun, but doubts and fears also arise. I do not feel like any part of my job is easier or more comfortable than the others. It depends on the project.”

“I wanted to capture the experience of my own journey with precision. I wanted to tell the story of two people who are travelling through Prague but also to their selves. The feeling of beauty of meeting somebody new, discovering a new place and a new person. That is the message of the campaign.”
— Guillaume Rossi

Hidden away from the bustling streets of the lively city, there lies the soothing dimness of a church that has withstood centuries of changes. This is where the scent of the burning incense materialises in the form of light bursting through the smoke; where the light stands out all the more against the backdrop of the darkest corners; where thoughts of yesterday and tomorrow blend into the sensation of here and now. The underlying motive behind Oratorio’s story is the clash of opposing forces; the threshold between what has been and what will be; the power of the present moment.

THÉO BELMAS | THE PERFUMER

Théo Belmas, born and based in France, became the new creator behind Pigmentarium fragrances in January 2023. he possesses a high level of expertise, including a bachelor’s degree in molecular chemistry, a master’s degree in perfumery, and an apprenticeship at Grasse, followed by work at Concept Aromatique and Symrise. He has a deep alignment with Pigmentarium values as well as a closeness with the team in Prague.

“From a creative standpoint, I would say that I am very inclined to create amber and oriental structures because of their sillage and signature. I do not think I have a specific style though. But I like to imagine and tend to powerful and strong notes.”
— Théo Belmas

PIGMENTARIUM ORATORIO x KUBO KIRZO

Kubo Krizo is a Slovak photographer whose work is now known to the public as “rap-commercial”, thanks to his distinctive and award-winning collaborations with the most famous rappers of today. However, as Kubo himself states, the beginnings of his work were influenced by the classics of Czech photography, Josef Koudelka, and especially Josef Sudek and his nostalgic depictions of old Prague. This set of photographs from 2019 reveals a lesser-known aspect of Kubo Krizo’s work – landscape photography. A limited number of pieces of the Oratorio fragrance were released with the blank canvas of its packaging transformed into a miniature exhibition canvas. This unique product was commissioned by Slovak cosmetic brand MALINNA.

Krizo created a small landscape series with a light and melancholic atmosphere on a cold morning on the Vltava, Czechia, riverbank. The original intention was to capture a magical moment of the narrative of the Vltava, with the bronze statue standing at the northern tip of Children’s Island, emerging from the early morning mist. However, the magic of the haze and light over the river gave rise to a whole collection of images that are interesting also because they are quite atypical in the context of the broader perception of Kubo Krizo´s work.